Hi again,
Bulbs on the brain for the evening!
The gentleman from whom I purchased my E500 advised that the car is fitted with H4 bulbs. The lenses are DOT, indicating HB2.
Hence, I would like to know what is the difference, if any, between European and US headlamp lenses/ assemblies on the E500?
Ill go fiddle around with the lamps, but I figured I'd just ask someone who knew, since its now cold outside... :-)
Thanks again
farrukh

I'm pretty sure that HB2 and H4 bulbs are interchangeable.

In my experience, North American spec M-Bs (up until the mid 90s anyways) do not used H4 bulbs. Typically they use 9004 bulkbs. I'm not sure which bulb style complies with DOT HB2, but if you pull the bulb out check the connection. If it has 3 unshielded, male connectors arranged in the following manner: |_| then it is most likely an H4 bulb.

If the connector on the bulb is shielded by plastic and the terminals are arranged like so: _-_ then it is a 9004 bulb.

Hope this helps.

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Cheers!

Yen-Hsen Liem
'93 500E black pearl/black leather; 89,000km; 245/45-ZR17 Michelin Pilot SX; 17x8.25 factory EvoII
'93 500E bornit(blackberry)/black leather; 69,000km; european delivery; 245/45-ZR17 Michelin Pilot SX; 17x8.25 factory EvoII
'88 560SL desert taupe/dark brown leather; 89,000km; Euro headlights
'87 190E 2.3-16 black pearl/black leather; 55,000mi; Euro headlights
'70 280SL white/red; 135,000mi (original); factory alloys; Euro headlights

As long as the headlight is "seperated" type, it uses 9004 bulbs....1994-1995 W124(with one piece headlights) uses H4 bulbs.

HB2 = H4 = 9003

Andy Kuo

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Robert W. Roe:
I'm pretty sure that HB2 and H4 bulbs are interchangeable.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Hb2 is a 9003 with a P43t base.
H4's come with different bases, so if you get one with the P43t base , they fit.
From there , they come in so many wattages and colors, it gets confusing. I see some with the PIAA's , but they look too bright to me.
I would be careful of too high a wattage,
as you will tax your stock wiring.
The lens are glass , so that helps.

I've been running H4 Hella Plus 30 bulbs in my E500 in place of the "recommended" Hb2 bulbs for the past year. H4's are much easier to find, cheaper and the Plus 30 bulbs are brighter at stock wattage. :cool:

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Dean Albrecht
94 E500
99 ML320

www.need2speed.web.com